From: Adam <""4thwormcastfromthemolehill\"{at}the field.near
the bridge">

Dave Ings wrote:
> Yeah, I read the ExtremeTech article and it only reinforced my impression
> that Vista is nothing more than a large XP service pack with little end user
> benefit. And since I believe it applying the latest service packs, in time
> I'll buy a copy but I won't be in a rush.
>
> Mind you, it *is* 2006 and so I'm not sure that I actually expect my OS to
> change my life any more than I do the firmware in my microwave oven. :-) An
> OS is just basic plumbing, the "action" in software has been
elsewhere for a
> good long time now ...

Oh & as an example of a point I was making to Geo wrt the steady
erosion of the monopoly & how I think the transition XP/2K3 > Vista
will be actually quite hard for MS esp in the "non US " part of
the world (y'know like .....oohhhh the rest of us...) :

http://www.bnamericas.com/story.jsp?sector=1¬icia=346048&idioma=I

"The Venezuelan government has authorized IBM (NYSE: IBM) to decide
which of its open source software (OSS) applications are suitable for pilot
programs as part of the country's full-scale migration of public entities
to open source, the state-run national IT center CNTI said in a statement.

In January, the government issued an executive order requiring all public
sector entities to transition their operating systems to OSS within two
years.

"IBM will evaluate, select and provide technical support in the
implementation of pilot schemes based on Linux technology and open source
standards," the CNTI said.

"In addition, IBM will provide loans, equipment, products and programs
that facilitate the development of the tools necessary for designing and
manufacturing products based on open source standards," CNTI said.
"


&

http://www.internetnews.com/dev-news/article.php/3588571

"Linux leadership in China is up for discussion again.

Novell is claiming again that it is the Linux leader in China. This time
the data comes from China-based analyst firm CCID Consulting, which
reported that Novell holds a 25.1 percent revenue share of the China Linux
market.

In August, Novell cited data from IDC, which gave Novell a 32.9 percent
market share. "

etc.

but then:

"Asian-based Linux distributions should not be counted out, either.
Debian-based Sun Wah Linux claimed last October the largest Linux desktop
rollout in China.

Sun Wah's CEO Alex Banh last year told internetnews.com that his goal was
to be the leading distribution in China.

Turbolinux is also a player to be reckoned with as well. In a recent press
release, Turbolinux cited 2004 IDC data that reportedly give them a nearly
25 percent market share of the Chinese desktop OS market. In April, they
signed China's biggest bank representing over 100 million customers.

Turbolinux has also recently obtained "high-tech innovation
funding" from the Chinese government and expanded availability of
Linux in southwest China's Sichuan Province. "


Note the fact that A (1, uno ein) Linux vendor has a 25% market share of
the *desktop*. So one wonders if you were to then add up red flag, sun wah
novell etc.etc. If you're chinese & have never had a computer
before....it'll be fun if the main source of electronic devices for the
world becomes a majority linux place....esp wrt drivers but also because of
the laws of s/w economics i.e. a 10% lead can translate into a 95% market
share..


It does amuse me that....
STAMP OUT S/W PIRACY!!! If you want to be in the WTO etc....

...uuuhhh OK we'll move to Linux

.....WHAT???? That's not what we meant....bloody Finns...

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